Real Weddings: Love is 'In the Air' At Lake Como

How They Met

Formally introduced through a common network, Aniket and Mauni met each other for the first time on 22nd January 2020. That day on, they knew something special was in store for them—as if it were written in the stars. From long-distance lovers to a memorable, fairytale wedding, the last two years were straight out of a dream!

The Next Step

"I told Mauni that we'll be going on a long drive to visit her parents in Belgium, and asked her to dress up for dinner. However, little did she know that I had a surprise detour planned. As we got closer to the Rotterdam Pier in the Netherlands, I began driving slowly, and she got suspicious! Upon reaching the yacht, she had umpteen questions lined up for me, but I just held her hand and asked her to walk without saying a word. The rest, as they say, is history," said Aniket. 

Memories That Will Last a Lifetime

"While our wedding day offered an abundance of memories that I will cherish for years to come, the sangeet ceremony was particularly special to me. We hadn't planned our entry, and at the last minute, we picked the luggage cart to be ridden to the location! I hopped on in my heavily embroidered lehenga, and Aniket pushed the cart through the audience—it was a laugh riot," reveals the bride. 

The Big Day

Aniket and Mauni had envisioned a dreamy, intimate affair, set against a serene, nature-inspired backdrop in keeping with the restrictions imposed due to Covid-19. "We were looking to combine the wedding moodboards of Anushka-Virat and Deepika-Ranveer, and we ended up finding our dream location—Villa Balbiano, Lake Como, Italy," the couple said.

"At KKings, we understand that the magic lies in the details. After several conversations with Mauni and Aniket, we knew that we were set to create a wedding that would redefine ‘grand’. Bringing alive their vision of minimalism yet royalty has been one of the most fulfilling experiences for us," says Monil Shah, Founder, KKing Weddings and Events. 

(Not) A Smooth Sail 

"As we set our eyes on the wedding venue, we instantly fell in love. Having found a stunning location drove our excitement levels up! But, little did we envisage the obstacles that lay ahead. To begin with, getting visas for all family members and vendors was a hassle. Italy was under a lockdown at the time; we had to wait days before the wedding to hear back on who could make it. We had guests coming in from across the globe, and accommodation seemed like a bit of a challenge. In the end, we were left with just two months to sort out our clothes, food, decor, and more," the couple revealed. 

"The KKings Weddings and Events team ensured that everyone's experience was up to the mark. 
Despite all the last-minute mishaps, they upheld a clear line of communication and brought everything together on the day. Plus, the Knotting Bells photography team managed to capture our gamut of emotions in every click," they added. 

Our Advice

"Know your vision and find the right vendors to bring it to reality. Trust them to make your dreams come alive and help you create memories that you will cherish forever. Also, remember that it is not the planning that makes your day special, it is the smiles, the giggles, and the happiness of being with the love of your life. If you believe, all will fall together in the moment, no matter how impossible it may seem in the beginning," advise the couple. 

Living Through the Pandemic

Aniket and Mauni were in a long-distance relationship due to Covid-19. While he was stuck in the U.S she was residing in Antwerp, Belgium. Hence, for them, the pandemic was all about getting to know each other via never-ending video calls, with the hope that they would meet each other soon. "Now, we are excited to start our new chapter and live through the little moments together, as a couple," says Aniket. 
 

The Details

Wedding Planner: KKings Weddings & Events

Photographer: Knotting Bells

Décor: Party Boutique Antwerp

Makeup Artist: Pakkhi P. Siroya

Bridal Hair: Florian Hurel

Bride's and Groom's Outfits: Sabyasachi

Entertainment: DJ Ganesh

Location: Villa Balbiano, Lombardy, Italy